Wireless dropouts

I have a tiny LAN around a D-Link DI 624 that's supposedly a robust WiFi
router and broadcaster. However, in the last week or so, I've
experienced hundreds of complete drops in the signal, at least as shown
by iStumbler's visual readout, and by my own difficulties in obtaining
or maintaining a wireless connection on my 2.4 MBP.

Yes, I've power-cycled the router/WiFi box many times. I've moved it,
and the telephone so they'd be far apart. I'm no further away than when
it was working before in multiple locations, orientations are similar,
and the same problems shows up on my son's MacBook which is a month old.

Before trying to exchange the router, I want to eliminate, if possible,
that the trouble doesn't emanate from the Comcast cable connection,
which itself isn't so hot. Although everytime I run a speed test on it,
it seems to show mostly fast connection speeds. But I am wondering if it
might be dropping the signal completely, which knocks the wireless off,
but isn't noticeable in the wired connection.. ? And how could I really
test for that?

I suppose the easiest would be to substitute another router, but was
hoping for an idea or two in the meantime.

--
John McWilliams

On 2008-02-08 08:16:25 -0800, John McWilliams said:

> Before trying to exchange the router, I want to eliminate, if possible,
> that the trouble doesn't emanate from the Comcast cable connection,
> which itself isn't so hot. Although everytime I run a speed test on it,
> it seems to show mostly fast connection speeds. But I am wondering if
> it might be dropping the signal completely, which knocks the wireless
> off, but isn't noticeable in the wired connection.. ? And how could I
> really test for that?
>
> I suppose the easiest would be to substitute another router, but was
> hoping for an idea or two in the meantime.

I'd start by connecting the MacBook up with ethernet.

You could wire one MacBook and set it as a wireless access point, then
wander around with the other.